No. H014/02For release - February 19, 2002
OTTAWA — Transport Minister David Collenette today announced that the Government of Canada is providing $350,000 to help fund the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Security Oversight Audit Programme.
"This contribution to the ICAO Security Oversight Audit Programme demonstrates the Government of Canada's ongoing commitment to aviation security," said Mr. Collenette. "As a leading member of ICAO, we look forward to working with our international partners to identify and implement improvements to aviation security."
Mr. Collenette is attending the first day of ICAO's Conference on Aviation Security in Montreal, February 19-20, where member states are gathering to assess the state of the air industry and to consider several actions for strengthening aviation security. One of the objectives of the conference is the adoption of the Audit Programme, which would identify needed remedial action, promote greater understanding of systemic security issues, and build confidence in aviation security. In addition, the program will help enhance security by identifying potential deficiencies in security oversight systems of member countries, and by providing suitable recommendations for resolving any such deficiencies.
Providing funding for the Security Oversight Audit Programme is one of many steps that the Government of Canada has taken since September 11 to enhance aviation security. Other actions include:
committing $2.2 billion for aviation security, as announced in the December 2001 budget, including more than $1 billion over the next five years for the purchase, deployment and operation of advanced explosives detection systems at airports across the country; and
creating, through legislation, a new Canadian Air Transport Security Authority responsible for the provision of several key aviation security services. The authority will be a federal entity and will report directly to the Minister of Transport.
"By participating in the conference, and providing funding for the Security Oversight Audit Programme, Transport Canada is building on an excellent relationship with ICAO," added Mr. Collenette. "These actions contribute to our goal of maintaining Canada's leadership role in aviation security. Our aviation security program meets or exceeds ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices, and ranks among the best in the world."
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Contact:
Anthony PolciDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister, Ottawa(613) 991-0700
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Backgrounder
INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANIZATION
SECURITY OVERSIGHT AUDIT PROGRAMME
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), headquartered in Montreal, is a specialized agency of the United Nations that was created in 1944 to promote cooperation between states and develop a safe and orderly international civil aviation system. Canada was an original signatory to the convention that established ICAO.
ICAO establishes and actively promotes compliance with international Standards and Recommended Practices and Procedures for Air Navigation Services for the safety, security and efficiency of international air transportation. Canada, as a leading member, or "Contracting State," (one of 187) has adopted these standards and procedures.
Following September 11, the ICAO Assembly adopted a resolution urging all Contracting States to make contributions to ICAO to support and strengthen efforts to combat terrorism and unlawful interference against civil aviation. Contracting States were also asked to agree on special funding for urgent action by ICAO in the field of aviation security.
The proposed establishment of the Security Oversight Audit Programme is one such action. The program would identify needed remedial action, promote greater understanding of systemic security issues, and build confidence in aviation security. In addition, the program will help enhance security by identifying potential deficiencies in security oversight systems of member countries, and by providing suitable recommendations for resolving any such deficiencies. Decisions on the establishment of the program are expected to be a key outcome of the ICAO Conference on Aviation Security, February 19-20, 2002, in Montreal.
The proposed Security Oversight Audit Programme is intended to expand current voluntary ICAO aviation security audit activities. Implementation of the program will result in comprehensive audits by ICAO of Contracting States' aviation security systems.
Establishment of the Security Oversight Audit Programme would directly contribute to Canada's aviation security policy objectives, and is consistent with the Government of Canada's ongoing commitment to transportation safety and security.
February 2002
